United States Army Commemorative Coins

These three coins recognize and celebrate the founding of the United States Army at the time of the Revolutionary War in 1775. The designs represent the traditions, history, and heritage of the U.S. Army and its role in American society from the colonial period to today.

The U.S. Army has helped to protect and defend freedom throughout our history. More than 30 million American men and women have answered the call to faithfully serve the American people as U.S. Army personnel at home and abroad.

The design on the front of the 5-dollar gold coin represents the U.S. Army's service in times of war. The soldiers symbolize, from left to right, the continental, Civil War, modern, World War II, and World War I eras.

The design on the reverse is based on the official U.S. Army emblem. The emblem includes the inscription "This We'll Defend," the U.S. Army's motto.

The dollar's obverse design depicts the busts of a male and female soldier, symbolizing the U.S. Army's worldwide service in the 21st century.

The design on the back of the dollar symbolizes the seven core values of this branch of the U.S. military. The design features an image of the Great Seal of the United States, worn on uniforms since the early 1800s. Encircling the seal, the core values are listed: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.

The half-dollar coin's obverse design features three images of U.S. Army service during peacetime. From left to right, a soldier does surveying work, two servicemen build a flood wall, and a Redstone Army rocket (used during early space exploration) takes off.

The Continental soldier on the reverse symbolizes the U.S. Army's role, as the inscription states, as the first in service to the nation. Above the soldier, 13 stars represent the original colonies.

The $5 gold coin. Mouse over to see the back.

The silver dollar.

The clad half dollar.

2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coins

These two coins celebrate the creation of the Medal of Honor. Congress authorized the Medal of Honor as the Navy's highest personal decoration in 1861. The Army Medal of Honor was authorized the following year and the Air Force Medal of Honor in 1956.

Congress can award the Medal of Honor to a person who risks his or her life above and beyond the call of duty. This can happen while fighting an enemy of the United States, while taking part in military operations against a foreign force, or while helping a friendly foreign force fight its enemy even though the United States is not part of the conflict.

The medals are presented by the President in the name of Congress. Fewer than 3,500 Medals of Honor have ever been awarded.

The $5 gold coin designs bring to mind the original Medal of Honor and the era in which it was first established. The front of the coin depicts the original Navy Medal of Honor of 1861.

The design on the back is based on the image that both the Navy and Army Medals of Honor originally used. The goddess Minerva stands with a shield representing the Army and Navy in her right hand and the Union flag in her left hand. Behind her, there is artillery used during the Civil War era.

The front of the $1 silver coin depicts the three current Army, Navy, and Air Force Medals of Honor, left to right. The ribbon with a field of 13 stars is the common feature of all three medals, reflecting the joint nature of modern warfare. The Medal of Honor is the only U.S. military medal worn around the neck.

The back shows a modern infantry soldier carrying a wounded fellow soldier to safety under enemy fire. This image reflects the courage and self-sacrifice that those who receive the medal show in combat.